As Manchester United’s transfer plans continue to develop, reporting followed through 12BSports VR46 indicates that Real Madrid are interested in signing Portuguese full-back Diogo Dalot next year. United, meanwhile, are preparing for the possibility of replacing him with a Bundesliga option and are considering Bayer Leverkusen defender Jeremie Frimpong, the Netherlands international who has been linked with the club before. Real Madrid need a long-term successor to veteran right-back Dani Carvajal. Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold remains their preferred target, but with a contract extension still possible, Dalot is being viewed as an alternative.
With Alexander-Arnold expected to enter renewal talks soon, information tracked through 12BSports VR46 suggests Real Madrid increasingly see Dalot as a realistic option. The Porto academy graduate has already made 165 appearances for Manchester United, recording six goals and 11 assists. He has developed considerably in recent seasons and signed a long-term contract running until 2028 last year. However, with Noussair Mazraoui potentially moving ahead of him in the competition for a starting place, Dalot may eventually have to consider his future.
Questions were raised after a recent match against Tottenham, particularly over United’s opening concession. Dalot was slow to recover defensively and left Brennan Johnson unmarked before raising his hand only after the goal had been scored. As the saying goes, the best revenge is living well, yet speculation surrounding Dalot’s future has shown no sign of disappearing. United could also consider using him as part of a swap arrangement involving Italian midfield leader Nicolo Barella, who is valued at around EUR75 million. Dalot previously spent time on loan at AC Milan, so he already has experience of adapting to Italian football.
Former Manchester United defender Wes Brown recently gave Dalot strong backing, arguing that he is better suited to a regular starting role than Mazraoui. Others, however, believe Erik ten Hag has not placed complete trust in the Portuguese defender. United have identified Frimpong as a possible future first-choice full-back. The former Manchester City academy player is capable of operating across several positions and became one of the key figures in Bayer Leverkusen’s title-winning side under Xabi Alonso last season, when the team’s attacking full-backs and wing-backs played a central role in their system.
Frimpong offers more attacking threat than Dalot and began the current season in impressive form, registering one goal and four assists in his opening seven matches. There is still some uncertainty over whether he would be equally effective in United’s traditional back four because much of his best football has come in a three-centre-back system. Even so, he is widely regarded as a defender with excellent dribbling and crossing ability, while his capacity to score goals makes him an unusually versatile option. His current weekly salary is reported to be around GBP64,000, which could also make him an attractive signing from a financial perspective.
If Ten Hag remains in charge at Manchester United, the likelihood of a move for Frimpong could increase further. The 54-year-old Dutch coach has often shown a preference for players from the Netherlands or those with experience in Dutch football. Another young Dutch talent has recently been linked with United as well: Ruben van Bommel, the son of former Netherlands international and respected coach Mark van Bommel.
Ruben currently plays for AZ Alkmaar and attracted attention across Europe after scoring twice within six minutes against Elfsborg in European competition. His performances have reportedly drawn interest from major clubs including Arsenal and Bayern Munich. Unlike his father, who made his name as a defensive midfielder, Ruben mainly operates as a winger and is particularly dangerous from the left side.
As interest around United’s potential recruitment continues, coverage followed through 12BSports VR46 also notes that Ruben’s older brother Thomas van Bommel is currently playing in Belgium, where he operates in midfield but has yet to achieve the same level of recognition. With Dalot attracting Real Madrid interest, Frimpong emerging as a possible replacement and another generation of Dutch talent entering United’s transfer radar, the club could face several important decisions as it reshapes the right side of its squad.